I also spent $77.16 on Monday 1/14 on a doctor copay and prescriptions for the bronchitis and sinusitis that I have. I do not include health spending in my No Buy Challenge because I consider it to be something necessary and not discretionary. (Although I do include groceries and gas in this, which is somewhat contradictory, but I digress...) I went to the doctor after work and it was already 7pm by the time I left the pharmacy, so I ended up swinging through McDonald's. You'll notice I did include the McDonald's; that was discretionary spending that I could have avoided had I just warmed soup at home.

Last time I checked I know Yuki was pretty busy with wedding plans. Other than that I didn't really get to know many people there. December was a no buy/smart buy thread but yeah it went over like a lead balloon. LOL

My stuff was in Bins for a long time after Irene. We loaded up all the pics and albums and put them in the RV and took them with us to Buffalo. I think the last bin of albums came out of the RV 3 months later.
Hopefully we can inspire you to do scrappy stuff again, but you have to use your stash on those no buy days!!! That's what we try to do.

Shoes are a must!! A good foundation keeps the rest of the body in good shape.
I spent a lot more than that yesterday. DS16 and DS12 need new dress shoes and sneakers. I got DS16 done but not DS12. We will hit Kohl's this afternoon. We also got some much needed jeans for everyone but DS12 and myself, I bought mine with a gift card in Dec and I will get DS12's at Kohl's too.

good job!!

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That's great about Yuki. Another regular had a baby earlier in the year. Her user name escapes me at the moment.

I don't use many embellishments and stuff to begin with; when I do scrapbook, they are not too fancy. I think I have enough supplies to last a while, but some things like pens and glue may need to be replaced if they've dried/run out.

And I definitely agree about the importance of good, quality shoes. I went to about five shoe stores before I found a sneaker that was comfortable and I felt would not rub my foot the wrong way. The crazy thing is that I haven't worn them yet because it was raining so much earlier in the week and I didn't want to get them muddy on the first wear!

I know this week I need to run out for rabbit and cat food..
I thought I had to go for cat food today but the neighbor is moving and brought over an extra bag he found in the basement since there cat is now on wet food only diet...

I am doing good with my no buy goals. I haven't bought any clutter, have only bought fill-in groceries or replaced staples. We have only eaten dinner out 1 night per week, which is driving my DS insane. There is lots of eating out among his friends so he is feeling deprived while DH thinks he's eating like a king!
1/20-$0
1/21- $0.63 tax for DS purchase
1/22-$0
1/23-$7 lunch after kids gym, $18 fill in groceries
1/24-$15 lunch with GF, $10 bread outlet (2 packages cookies, 3 loaves bread, 1 package bagels, 2 breakfast danish)
1/25-
1/26-

This thread seems to be losing momentum! Even if you feel like you failed this month, you gained an awareness of your spending that you may not have had before. Try to finish out this month strong and look forward to the fresh start we get on Friday! If you're new at this, keep in mind that it takes about three months to calibrate a budget, so don't give up until at LEAST the end of March!

Week 3:Goals for next week: groceries $75 (should need too much I have all the meat we need mainly breakfast foods and fresh vegetables and fruit), 1 day out to celebrate DH- $50 may be less if we use giftcards or go for lunch
1/13- $5- rest of what was needed for dinner
1/14- groceries $60 so a little less than expected
1/15- gas $43, lunch out for DH $8 (traveling for work)
1/16- $20 (lunch for DH on road), $4 for Breakfast Bible Study
1/17- $0
1/18- groceries- $17, gas $38, staples (bill folder for the year)- $11
1/19- $0
Total for the week: groceries $81, gas $81, eating out- $32, other $11

So it's the 29th & I am happy with my progress this month. I have been able to limit eating out significantly, at least at dinnertime. I am happy with the "baby steps". I have a significant outlay either tomorrow or Thursday as first tax bill is due. I am glad it's not the school tax one since that is more than 2x the county tax one that is due. I was really stressing on "finding" the money to make the payment because I went for broke at end of year & sent significant chunks to iras & 529 and was afraid I was going to regret that. I have 2 car insurances due in February & I would like to fund Disney out of change laying around the house. If I can find the time to wrap it & take to bank, I bet I can do it. This will also be a form of clutter out, right? I am hoping to not spend any money in grocery store for next 2 weeks, other than milk, bread & lunch meat. I am going to feed us out of the pantry/freezers. I love how much this thread has helped me pay attention to my spending. I have seen this before but I like the location on this creative board. (Just seems less obvious & more private, I guess!) I am thankful for all I've learned from everyone & all the wisdom I've benefited from this month here. Thanks!